Morris Minor Owners Club

Finally, for the first time in a year of storms and snow, my moggys starter motor has failed to turn the engine over. It worked brilliantly a day ago, but the cold snap has turned it into a sluggish whine. I'm guessing either its alittle frozen or the batterys alittle low on juice.

I need to get her going tomorrow and i'm thinking I might have to use the starting handle. As its my first time I'd check what to do and how to avoid breaking myself in the process. Sure its a naive question.. but i've never had a car with one of these before!

All help gratefully recieved

Some useful tips here...

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... le#p362386

thanks - I had a look through that thread. Its got some good tips.. but I was hoping somebody could tell me step by step what to do. I'm assuming I have the ignition on, choke out an inch, car out of gear, and the handle at about 6 o'clock. Is it then only one pull with a cupped hand towards me and it'll pick up and carry over as the engine goes? and will the handle fly out or is there a chance it can get stuck in and spin round (altho this might be a useful weapon against the white van men who like to cut up old cars )

Don't use the handle as a weapon .

Using the starting handle needs some practice but generally if the engine starts normally then it should start using the handle then the design of the starting dog kicks the handle out of the drive and you can carefully extratct it from the hole in the bumper. If the engine doesn't start the handle stays in the dog and you probably curse a bit more before trying again. If the engine is cold then you will probably need to use the choke.

Most important to avoid a badly bruised thumb in the event of the engine kicking back is to grip the starting handle in the right hand with the thumb and fingers over the top of the handle. Position the handle at two o'clock and give it a good turn in a clockwise direction. When the engine fires the handle will automatically be thrown out of engagement.

For this cold weather - best to switch on the Ign to let the fuel pump fill the carb - then switch it off again. Pull the choke right out - crank the engine over 2 or 3 complete turns - not just single compressions - on the handle - THEN - switch on the ignition and 'snatch' it upwards as you describe. And yes - cupped hand with thumb out of the way. I imagine it would be near-enough impossible to do it left-handed... ! So even if left handed - use the right hand for this job!

I prefer the 2 0'clock position and a downward swing as the handle will rest in the correct position against the compression.
It is easier to locate the handle in the dog by opening the bonnet and watching the positioning of the handle than trying to stab it into the starter dog with the bonnet closed, especially on the later cars which do not have the guide which is fitted to the earlier cars

I wouldn't be so prescriptive about at what 'O' clock the handle is, or how much to pull the choke out.
Both will very much depend on the individual car, you can choose whether to pull or push on the handle, but go with what suits your car as far as how much choke to use.

A bad starter is misery to start on the handle, it's where not bothering to service the car bites back.

looks like I've avoided the starter for another icy morning.

the starter motor decided to cheer up, but still no engine activity. As the motor was turning the engine I went looking for other problems. between spraying the distribute with some WD40 and wiping, checking the chambers and plugs hadn't flooded, checking the carburetor needle, removing the fuel line and nudging the fuel pump until petrol appeared, and finally giving all the leads a good push something happened and she started first time. no problems since, and i've given her a proper run around to charge the battery.

thanks for all the help tho - sure it'll be useful sooner or later

nudging the fuel pump until petrol appeared

Put a new pump, or a set of pump points on your Christmas list quick!